System and method for activity based interaction

ABSTRACT

A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving an authorization request message for a transaction from an access device. The authorization request message includes a value and an account identifier. The user device is used by a user to conduct a transaction with the resource provider. The method also includes determining an activity metric associated with the user of the user device, determining a value alteration based at least in part on the activity metric, and applying the value alteration to the value for the transaction.

BACKGROUND

There are a number of conventional systems that provide incentives forusers to make purchases. Such conventional systems typically informusers of offers (e.g., through e-mail, text, U.S. mail, etc.), and theusers will then act on those offers. For example, a typical user that isa frequent customer might receive an e-mail coupon for a discount of 20percent off of the user's next purchase at a resource provider such as agrocery store. When the user visits the grocery store to purchase food,the user can present the coupon, and 20 percent can be deducted off ofthe total purchase price for the food. The user may then use a creditcard, debit card, or cash to pay for the discounted value.

While conventional systems for providing incentives are useful,conventional systems are configured to only provide incentives for thespecific resource providers that operate the conventional systems.Further, the incentives are typically based on the past purchasingbehavior of the user or are statically set by the resource provider.Besides purchasing behavior, conventional incentive systems do not havethe ability to influence users to behave in any particular manner thatmight benefit them or others.

Embodiments of the invention address these and other problemsindividually and collectively.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods which canincorporate the use of user activity to alter a value of a transaction.The user activity may be exercise. An activity metric such as caloriesexpended within a period of time (e.g., 24 hours) may be used todetermine an alteration value for the transaction. By doing so, the usercan be encouraged to perform a certain type of activity for a certainperiod of time, that can be unrelated to the user's past transactionactivity.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method. The methodincludes receiving an authorization request message for a transactionfrom an access device. The authorization request message includes avalue and an account identifier. The user device is used by a user toconduct a transaction with the resource provider. The method, alsoincludes determining an activity metric associated with the user of theuser device, determining a value alteration based at least in part onthe activity metric, and applying the value alteration to the value forthe transaction.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a server computersuch as a processor server computer configured to perform theabove-noted method.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method receiving,by an access device, a device identifier or an account identifier from auser device. The method also includes transmitting, by the accessdevice, the device identifier or the account identifier to an activitycomputer in an activity request message, and receiving, by the accessdevice, an activity response message comprising an activity metric.Then, the access device can alter a value of a transaction amountconducted between the user device and the access device, and cangenerate an authorization request message comprising the alteredtransaction amount. The method further includes transmitting theauthorization request message comprising the altered transaction amountto an authorizing computer.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an access deviceconfigured to perform the above-noted method.

These and other embodiments of the invention are described in furtherdetail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a processor server computer.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram illustrating a process flow accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates another flow diagram illustrating another processflow according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates another flow diagram illustrating another processflow according to another embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment, a remote value alteration computer is not necessary.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods which canincorporate the use of user activity to alter a value of a transaction.The user activity may be exercise. An activity metric such as caloriesexpended within a period of time (e.g., 24 hours) may be used todetermine an alteration value for the transaction. In embodiments of theinvention, the alteration value for the transaction may be used toadjust a value of the transaction. The magnitude of the alteration valuemay vary depending upon the amount of activity performed by the user.For example, a user may expend 1000 calories in a 24 hour period and mayreceive a discount of 20 percent off of his or her next purchasetransaction at a merchant. The user may alternatively expend 500calories in a 24 hour period and may receive a discount of 10 percentoff of his or her next purchase at a particular merchant. As illustratedby this example, the user can be encouraged to perform a certain type ofactivity for a certain period of time, that can be unrelated to theuser's past transaction activity with a particular resource provider.This advantageously encourages the user to perform specific activity inexchange for discounts related to current or future transactions. In thecase of fitness, this promotes the user's health and well-being, andimproves upon conventional systems that do not do so.

Prior to discussing embodiments of the invention, descriptions of someterms may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the invention.

A “user device” may comprise any suitable electronic device that may beused by a user to conduct an electronic transaction. A user device maybe in the form of a payment device. In some embodiments, the user devicemay be a “mobile device” that can be transported and operated by a user,which may also provide remote communication capabilities to a network.Examples of remote communication capabilities include using a mobilephone (wireless) network, wireless data network (e.g. 3G, 4G or similarnetworks), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, or any other communication medium that mayprovide access to a network such as the Internet or a private network.Examples of mobile devices include mobile phones (e.g. cellular phones),PDAs, tablet computers, net books, laptop computers, personal musicplayers, hand-held specialized readers, etc. Further examples of mobiledevices include wearable devices, such as smart watches, fitness bands,ankle bracelets, rings, earrings, etc., as well as automobiles withremote communication capabilities. A mobile device may comprise anysuitable hardware and software for performing such functions, and mayalso include multiple devices or components (e.g. when a device hasremote access to a network by tethering to another device—i.e. using theother device as a modem—both devices taken together may be considered asingle mobile device).

A “wearable device” may be any suitable electronic device that can beworn by a user. Examples of wearable devices are provided above.Wearable devices may include electronic components including aprocessor, which may be in communication with one or more memory units(which may include non-transitory computer readable media), one or moresensors (e.g., accelerometers, temperature sensors, electrical sensors,etc.) for measuring activity or physical characteristics of a user,input/output devices, and communication interfaces (to provide shortrange communication such as NRC or Bluetooth or long range communicationsuch as with a cellular tower).

A “payment device” may include any suitable device that may be used toconduct a financial transaction, such as to provide payment credentialsto a merchant. The payment device may be a software object, a hardwareobject, or a physical object. As examples of physical objects, thepayment device may comprise a substrate such as a paper or plastic card,and information that is printed, embossed, encoded, or otherwiseincluded at or near a surface of an object. A hardware object can relateto circuitry (e.g., permanent voltage values), and a software object canrelate to non-permanent data stored on a device. A payment device may beassociated with a value such as a monetary value, a discount, or storecredit, and a payment device may be associated with an entity such as abank, a merchant, a payment processing network, or a person. A paymentdevice may be used to make a payment transaction. Suitable paymentdevices can be hand-held and compact so that they can fit into a user'swallet and/or pocket (e.g., pocket-sized). Example payment devices mayinclude smart cards, magnetic stripe cards, keychain devices (such asthe Speedpass™ commercially available from Exxon-Mobil Corp.), etc.Other examples of mobile devices include pagers, payment cards, securitycards, access cards, smart media, transponders, and the like. If thepayment device is in the form of a debit, credit, or smartcard, thepayment device may also optionally have features such as magneticstripes. Such devices can operate in either a contact or contactlessmode. In some embodiments, a mobile device (e.g., a wearable device) canfunction as a payment device (e.g., a mobile device can store andtransmit payment credentials for a transaction).

A “credential” may be any suitable information that serves as reliableevidence of worth, ownership, identity, or authority. A credential maybe a string of numbers, letters, or any other suitable characters, aswell as any object or document that can serve as confirmation. Examplesof credentials include value credentials, identification cards,certified documents, access cards, passcodes and other logininformation, etc.

A “value credential” may be information associated with worth. Examplesof value credentials include payment credentials, coupon identifiers,information needed to obtain a promotional offer, etc.

A “token” may be a substitute value for a credential. A token may be astring of numbers, letters, or any other suitable characters. Examplesof tokens include payment tokens, access tokens, personal identificationtokens, etc.

A “payment token” may include an identifier for a payment account thatis a substitute for an account identifier, such as a primary accountnumber (PAN). For example, a token may include a series of alphanumericcharacters that may be used as a substitute for an original accountidentifier. For example, a token “4900 0000 0000 0001” may be used inplace of a PAN “4147 0900 0000 1234.” In some embodiments, a token maybe “format preserving” and may have a numeric format that conforms tothe account identifiers used in existing transaction processing networks(e.g., ISO 8583 financial transaction message format). In someembodiments, a token may be used in place of a PAN to initiate,authorize, settle or resolve a payment transaction or represent theoriginal credential in other systems where the original credential wouldtypically be provided. In some embodiments, a token value may begenerated such that the recovery of the original PAN or other accountidentifier from the token value may not be computationally derived.Further, in some embodiments, the token format may be configured toallow the entity receiving the token to identify it as a token andrecognize the entity that issued the token.

A “resource provider” may be an entity that can provide a resource suchas goods, services, information, and/or access. Examples of resourceproviders include merchants, access devices, secure data access points,etc. A “merchant” may typically be an entity that engages intransactions and can sell goods or services, or provide access to goodsor services.

An “acquirer” may typically be a business entity (e.g., a commercialbank) that has a business relationship with a particular merchant orother entity. Some entities can perform both issuer and acquirerfunctions. Some embodiments may encompass such single entityissuer-acquirers. An acquirer may operate an acquirer computer, whichcan also be generically referred to as a “transport computer”.

An “authorizing entity” may be an entity that authorizes a request.Examples of an authorizing entity may be an issuer, a governmentalagency, a document repository, an access administrator, etc. An “issuer”may typically refer to a business entity (e.g., a bank) that maintainsan account for a user. An issuer may also issue payment credentialsstored on a user device, such as, a cellular telephone, smart card,tablet, or laptop to the consumer.

An “access device” may be any suitable device that provides access to aremote system. An access device may generally be located in any suitablelocation, such as at the location of a merchant. An access device may bein any suitable form. Some examples of access devices include POS orpoint of sale devices (e.g., POS terminals), cellular phones, PDAs,personal computers (PCs), tablet PCs, hand-held specialized readers,set-top boxes, electronic cash registers (ECRs), automated tellermachines (ATMs), virtual cash registers (VCRs), kiosks, remote computers(e.g., a merchant Web server), security systems, access systems, and thelike. An access device may use any suitable contact or contactless modeof operation to send or receive data from, or associated with, a usermobile device. In some embodiments, where an access device may comprisea POS terminal, any suitable POS terminal may be used and may include areader, a processor, and a computer-readable medium. A reader mayinclude any suitable contact or contactless mode of operation. Forexample, exemplary card readers can include radio frequency (RF)antennas, optical scanners, bar code readers, or magnetic stripe readersto interact with a payment device and/or mobile device. In someembodiments, a cellular phone, tablet, or other dedicated wirelessdevice used as a POS terminal may be referred to as a mobile point ofsale or an “mPOS” terminal.

An “authorization request message” may be an electronic message thatrequests authorization for a transaction. In some embodiments, it issent to a transaction processing computer and/or an issuer of a paymentcard to request authorization for a transaction. An authorizationrequest message according to some embodiments may comply with ISO 8583,which is a standard for systems that exchange electronic transactioninformation associated with a payment made by a user using a paymentdevice or payment account. The authorization request message may includean issuer account identifier that may be associated with a paymentdevice or payment account. An authorization request message may alsocomprise additional data elements corresponding to “identificationinformation” including, by way of example only: a service code, a CVV(card verification value), a dCVV (dynamic card verification value), aPAN (primary account number or “account number”), a payment token, auser name, an expiration date, etc. An authorization request message mayalso comprise “transaction information,” such as any informationassociated with a current transaction, such as the transaction amount,merchant identifier, merchant location, acquirer bank identificationnumber (BIN), card acceptor ID, information identifying items beingpurchased, etc., as well as any other information that may be utilizedin determining whether to identify and/or authorize a transaction.

An “authorization response message” may be a message that responds to anauthorization request. In some cases, it may be an electronic messagereply to an authorization request message generated by an issuingfinancial institution or a transaction processing computer. Theauthorization response message may include, by way of example only, oneor more of the following status indicators: Approval—transaction wasapproved; Decline—transaction was not approved; or Call Center—responsepending more information, merchant must call the toll-free authorizationphone number. The authorization response message may also include anauthorization code, which may be a code that a credit card issuing bankreturns in response to an authorization request message in an electronicmessage (either directly or through the transaction processing computer)to the merchant's access device (e.g. POS equipment) that indicatesapproval of the transaction. The code may serve as proof ofauthorization.

A “server computer” may include a powerful computer or cluster ofcomputers. For example, the server computer can be a large mainframe, aminicomputer cluster, or a group of servers functioning as a unit. Inone example, the server computer may be a database server coupled to aWeb server. The server computer may be coupled to a database and mayinclude any hardware, software, other logic, or combination of thepreceding for servicing the requests from one or more client computers.The server computer may comprise one or more computational apparatusesand may use any of a variety of computing structures, arrangements, andcompilations for servicing the requests from one or more clientcomputers.

An “activity metric” may be a quantitative value associated with auser's physical activity. Common activity metrics may include, but isnot limited to, calories expended, sleep quality, heart rate, andactivity level. An activity metric may also be a binary value (e.g., yesor no) where the value indicates whether or not a threshold is achieved.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system 100 according to embodiments ofthe invention. The system 100 may include user device 110, access device120, server computer 130, activity computer 140, authorizing computer150, and value alteration computer 160. The user device 110, accessdevice 120, processor server computer 130, activity computer 140,authorizing computer 150, and value alteration computer 160 may all bein operative communication with each other through any suitablecommunication channel or communications network.

Suitable communications networks may be any one and/or the combinationof the following: a direct interconnection; the Internet; a Local AreaNetwork (LAN); a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN); an Operating Missionsas Nodes on the Internet (OMNI); a secured custom connection; a WideArea Network (WAN); a wireless network (e.g., employing protocols suchas, but not limited to a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), I-mode,and/or the like); and/or the like.

Messages between the computers, networks, and devices in FIG. 1 (anddescribed with respect to FIG. 1), as well as in the other Figures, maybe transmitted using a secure communications protocols such as, but notlimited to, File Transfer Protocol (FTP); HyperText Transfer Protocol(HTTP); Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS), Secure Socket Layer(SSL), ISO (e.g., ISO 8583) and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the access device 120, the processor servercomputer 130, the authorizing computer 150, and the alteration computer160 may communicate via one type of communication path using data in onetype of data format (e.g., ISO 8583). The user device 110 and/or theprocessor server computer 130 may communicate with the activity computer140 through another type of communication path using data in anothertype of data format (e.g., Internet or cellular communicationprotocols). Further, assuming that the access device 120 and the userdevice 110 are proximate to each other, in some embodiments, the userdevice 110 may communicate with the access device 110 using a shortrange data transmission technology such as RFID, Bluetooth™, IR, etc.

The user device 110 may include any device associated with a user andcapable of providing transaction credentials to the access device 120.In some embodiments, the transaction credentials may be provided to theaccess device 120 by the user device 110 using an access dataapplication (e.g., a digital wallet application). The user device 110may include, but is not limited to, a payment card, mobile device (e.g.,smartphone or tablet), or a wearable device (e.g., a fitness band orsmartwatch). In some embodiments, the user device 110 may communicateany activity data or activity metrics to a remotely located activitycomputer 140. It may also communicate activity data or any activitymetrics to the access device 120 during a transaction.

In some embodiments, the user device 110 may be a wearable device suchas a smart watch or fitness band, which may also be used as a paymentdevice. In other embodiments, the user device 110 may be a mobile phoneor a payment card, and the user may utilize a separate wearable deviceto track and record the activity of the user.

The access device 120 may be associated with a resource provider (e.g.,merchant) and may reside within a physical resource provider location orwithin a resource provider's network for online transactions.

The server computer 130 may be associated with a payment processingnetwork and may be operable to process transactions within the system.In some embodiments, the user device 110 may be able to track one ormore activity metrics associated with the user of the user device 110via one or more hardware components within the user device 110. The userdevice 110 may alternatively or additionally generate activity data

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a server computer 130, in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention. The server computer 130 includesan input/output interface 210, a memory 220, a processor 230, and anon-transitory computer-readable medium 240. In some embodiments, servercomputer 120 may reside within a payment processing network cloud.

The input/output (I/O) interface 210 is configured to receive andtransmit data from external devices or apparatuses. For example, the I/Ointerface 210 may receive an authorization request and may obtainactivity related data associated with a user over a communicationchannel. The I/O interface 210 may also be used for direct interactionwith the server computer 130. The server computer 130 may accept inputfrom an input device such as, but not limited to, a keyboard, keypad, ormouse. Further, the I/O interface 210 may display output on a displaydevice.

Memory 220 may be any magnetic, electronic, or optical memory. It can beappreciated that memory 220 may include any number of memory modules. Anexample of memory 220 may be dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

Processor 230 may be any general-purpose processor operable to carry outinstructions on the server computer 130. The processor 230 is coupled toother units of the server computer 130 including input/output interface210, memory 220, and computer-readable medium 240.

A “processor” may refer to any suitable data computation device ordevices. A processor may comprise one or more microprocessors workingtogether to accomplish a desired function. A processor may include CPUthat comprises at least one high-speed data processor adequate toexecute program components for executing user and/or system-generatedrequests. The CPU may be a microprocessor such as AMD's Athlon, Duronand/or Opteron; IBM and/or Motorola's PowerPC; IBM's and Sony's Cellprocessor; Intel's Celeron, Itanium, Pentium, Xeon, and/or XScale;and/or the like processor(s).

Computer-readable medium 340 may be any magnetic, electronic, optical,or other computer memory device. In some embodiments of the invention,computer-readable storage medium 340 includes enrollment module 241,device determination module 242, activity metric retrieval module 244,and authorization, clearing and settlement module 246.

The enrollment module 241 may be configured to, when executed byprocessor 230, enroll a user device identifier with the processor servercomputer 130. The user device identifier could be, for example, mobilephone number, an IP address, an IMEI number, a SIM card number, etc. Insome embodiments, a credential such as a primary account number (e.g., aPAN) for an account such as a payment account (e.g., a credit or debitcard account), or access data may be obtained from the user via the userdevice or another device operated by the user) and the credential may belinked to the device identifier. For example, if the user deviceidentifier is a phone number, then that phone number may be linked to aPAN that is used by the user to conduct purchase transactions. Thedevice identifier, the credentials, and other data of the user may bestored in the memory 220 or any other suitable database.

The device determination module 242 may be configured to, when executedby processor 230, determine a device identifier (ID) of the user device110 during the course of the transaction. The determination of thedevice identifier may or may not involve a separate communication to aremotely located activity server computer. For example, the servercomputer 130 may receive an authorization request message from theaccess device 120 after the user initiates the transaction using his orher user device 110. Upon receiving the authorization request, theserver computer 130 may determine a device ID associated with the userdevice 110 based on information contained within the authorizationrequest message. For example, the authorization request message mayinclude a primary account number (PAN) or token (i.e., a substitute orpseudo-PAN for a PAN). Based on the PAN or token, the devicedetermination module 242 may determine the device ID registered to usethat PAN or token. The device determination module 244 may then useelements within the device ID to determine whether the user device 110is enrolled in an activity tracking program. For example, the device IDmay indicate that the manufacturer of the user device 110 providesactivity tracking functionalities. This determination may be made byquerying a database within the server computer 130 (not shown) or byquerying a database residing within the activity computer 140. In otherembodiments, the device identifier of the user device 110 may bereceived in an authorization request message along with an accountidentifier. The device determination module 242, in conjunction with theprocessor 230, may then extract the device identifier from the userdevice 110 to determine the device identifier.

In some embodiments, the authorization request message may include anindicator that the user device 110 is enrolled in an activity trackingprogram. If it is determined that the user device 110 is enrolled in anactivity tracking program, the device determination module 242 mayinteract with the activity metric retrieval module 244, as describedbelow.

The activity metric retrieval module 244 may be configured to, whenexecuted by processor 330, obtain or retrieve one or more activitymetrics associated with the user of the user device 110. For example,once the device determination module 242 determines the device ID of theuser device 110 and that the user device 110 is enrolled in an activitytracking program, the activity metric retrieval module 242 may work withthe processor 230 to obtain or retrieve one or more activity metricsassociated with the user of the user device 110 from the activitycomputer 140. This may be done by transmitting an activity metricrequest message to a remotely located activity computer, and receiving,in return, the requested activity metric. The activity metric requestand response messages may be in a different data format than thepreviously described authorization request message. In some embodiments,the activity computer 140 may be associated with a manufacturer of theuser device 110 or with an activity tracking entity. For example, theactivity metric retrieval module 244, in conjunction with the processor230, may obtain a number of calories expended by the user of the userdevice 110 within a predefined time period. For example, the activityretrieval module 244 may obtain or retrieve data from the activitycomputer 140 indicating that the user of the user device 110 expended1,750 active calories in the last seven days. Upon retrieving the one ormore activity metrics associated with the user of the user device 110,the activity metric retrieval module 244 may, in conjunction with theprocessor 230, interact with the value alteration computer 160 todetermine whether the user associated with the user device 110 qualifiesfor a transaction alteration (e.g., a transaction discount) based on theobtained or more activity metrics.

The authorization, clearing and settlement module 246 may be configuredto, when executed by processor 230, authorize, clear and settle atransaction that may incorporate a value alteration (e.g., a discount)based on the one or more activity metrics associated with the userobtained by the activity metric retrieval module 244. For example, ifthe value alteration computer 160 indicates that the transaction iseligible for a value alteration by virtue of the user fulfilling acertain activity metric criteria, the authorization, and clearing andsettlement module 246 may incorporate the value alteration during thetransaction flow. In some embodiments, the authorization, clearing andsettlement module 246, in conjunction with the processor, may replacethe original transaction amount in the authorization request messagewith an updated transaction amount that reflects the value alteration(e.g., the original transaction amount less a discount). Theauthorization, clearing and settlement module 246, in conjunction withthe processor 230, may then clear and settle the updated transactionamount with the authorizing computer 150, and clear and settle thealtered amount with the value alteration computer 160. In otherembodiments, the authorization, clearing and settlement module 246, inconjunction with the processor, may clear and settle the full originaltransaction amount with the authorizing computer 150 and then facilitatea “cash back” credit to the account associated with the user of the userdevice 110 in the amount of the discount.

Prior to discussing the specific steps illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5,it is noted that a user may enroll his or her user device 110 with theprocessor server computer 120 as explained above. The user may providethe device identifier associated with the user device 110 and an accountidentifier to the processor server computer 120. The user may alsoprovide the type of device and the manufacturer of the device to theprocessor server computer 120.

Also in FIGS. 3-5, a transport computer such as an acquirer computer isomitted for clarity of illustration. It is possible to include such acomputer between the access devices and the processor server computers.Such transport computers may be associated with the resource providersoperating the access devices, and may participate in settlementprocesses conducted between the processor server computer and theauthorizing computer(s).

FIG. 3 illustrates a process flow 300 according to an embodiment of theinvention. In the process flow illustrated in FIG. 3, settlement canoccur between the processor server computer 120, the authorizingcomputer 150, and the value alteration computer 160.

At step S302, a user may initiate a payment transaction using his or heruser device 110. For example, the user may interact with a digitalwallet application or activity application executing on the user device110 in order to initiate the transaction process. The digital walletapplication or activity application may be associated with a useraccount associated with the user. The user may open the digital walletapplication or activity application on the user device 110 and enter hisor her authentication information (e.g., a password) into theapplication. Then, for example, the user may select an option to begin atransaction.

At step S304, after the user initiates the transaction with his or heruser device 110, the user may interact with the access device 120 usinghis or her user device 110. In some embodiments, the access device 120may be located within a merchant location. For example, the accessdevice 120 may be a point-of-sale (POS) device located near the checkoutarea at the merchant location. For example, this step may occur when theuser is ready to checkout and pay for merchandise obtained from themerchant location. For example, the user may interact with the accessdevice 120 by “tapping” his or her user device 110 against the accessdevice 120 to initiate a near-field connection (NFC). In someembodiments, the user device 110 may also connect to the access device120 using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or any other wireless communication link.Upon creating the connection between the user device 110 and the accessdevice 120, the user device 110, via the digital wallet application orother activity application, may transmit the user's account informationto the access device 120.

At step S306, after user device 110 interacts with the access device 120and transmits the user's account information to the access device 120,the access device 120 may generate and send an authorization requestmessage to the server computer 130. The authorization request message130 may include the user's account information (e.g., credentialsincluding a PAN or primary account number), and other relevantinformation pertinent to the transaction. In some embodiments, a deviceidentifier associated with the user device may also be sent from theuser device 110 to the access device 120. In yet other embodiments, anactivity metric may be transmitted from the user device 110 to theaccess device 120.

At step S308, after the access device 120 generates and sends theauthorization request message to the server computer 130, the servercomputer 130 may determine whether the user device 110 is enrolled in anactivity tracking program. For example, if the device identifier is sentin the authorization request message, the server computer 130 candetermine a manufacturer of the user device 110 based at least in parton the received device identifier in the authorization request message.The server computer 130 may make the determination from a local databasehaving this information and residing within the server computer 130, ormay query another server computer to obtain the information. The servercomputer 130 may determine that the manufacturer of the user device 110participates in the activity tracking program. In other embodiments, thedevice identifier is not present in the authorization request messageand the processor server computer 130 may determine if the user device110 is enrolled by looking up the device identifier using the receivedaccount identifier that is present in the authorization request message.Enrollment status using the device identifier can then be determined asnoted above. In yet other embodiments, the authorization request messagemay include an indicator that the user device 110 is enrolled in anactivity tracking program. The presence of the indicator can indicatethat the user device 110 is enrolled in the activity tracking program.

At step S310, after the server computer 130 determines whether the userdevice 110 is enrolled in an activity tracking program, the servercomputer 130 may query the activity computer 140 to obtain one or moreactivity metrics associated with the user and the user device 110. Forexample, if the server computer 130 determines that the user device 110is enrolled in an activity tracking program, the server computer 130 mayquery the activity computer which may be associated with themanufacturer of the user device 110 or with an activity tracking serviceassociated with the user device 110 to obtain the one or more activitymetrics.

At step S312, after the server computer obtains the one or more activitymetrics associated with the user and the user device 110, the servercomputer 130 may query a value alteration computer 160 to determinewhether the user of the user device 110 qualifies for a value alterationin the present transaction based on the obtained one or more activitymetrics. In some embodiments, the value alteration computer 160 may beassociated with an offer providing entity that may offer discounts forthe transaction based on the activity metrics associated with the user.For example, if the user has expended a certain number of calories in apredefined time period, the value alteration computer 160 may offer adiscount in the present transaction. For example, if the server computer130 obtained information from the activity computer 140 indicating thatthe user expended 1750 active calories in the present week, the servercomputer 130 may query the value alteration computer 160 with thisinformation. The value alteration computer 160 may be offering a $5transaction discount to any user who has expended at least 1500 caloriesin the present week. Accordingly, the value alteration computer 160 mayindicate to the server computer 130 that the user is eligible for a $5discount in the present transaction since he or she has expended therequisite number of calories to qualify for the discount.

In some embodiments, the processor server computer 130 the activitymetric may be an indication of whether or not a user has satisfied inactivity threshold. In some cases, the processor server computer 130never actually receives the specific activity data such as caloriesexpended. Rather, the processor server computer 130 may simply query theactivity computer 140 with activity metric criteria. The activitycomputer 140 may then return a binary “yes”/“no” result. For example,the processor server computer 130 after determining the deviceidentifier for the user device 110, the processor server computer 130may send an activity request message including the device identifier tothe activity computer 140 which asks if the user using the user device110 has expended more than 20,000 calories in the past week. This may bethe threshold necessary for a transaction value alteration. The activitycomputer 140 may respond with a “yes” or “no” depending upon whether thethreshold is met. If the threshold is met, then the value alteration isapplied. If it not, then it is not. This particular embodiment isadvantageous, because the processor server computer 130 does not need tohold any specific activity data of the user, thereby preserving theuser's privacy.

The value alteration of the transaction and the corresponding activitythresholds may vary. In some cases, they may be proportional to eachother. For example, the value alteration may increase linearly with anincrease in an activity metric. In other embodiments, the valuealteration may increase in a stepwise fashion as the activity metricincreases to different threshold values (e.g., 5 dollars for 5000calories burned in a week, 10 dollars for 7500 calories burned in aweek, etc.).

At step S314, after the server computer queries the value alterationcomputer 160 and determines that the user of the user device 110qualifies for a discount, the server computer 130 may forward theauthorization request message received from the access device 120 instep S306 to the authorizing computer 150. In some embodiments, thetransaction amount may be altered before the authorization requestmessage is sent to the authorizing computer 150. For example, if theoriginal authorization request message had a 10 dollar transactionamount and the alteration value was 3 dollars, then the modifiedauthorization request may include a 7 dollar transaction amount.

At step S316, the authorizing computer 150 may approve or deny thetransaction based on the received authorization request message. Theapproval or denial of the transaction may be based on a number offactors traditionally used to authorize or deny a transaction. If thetransaction is approved, the authorizing computer 150 may transmit anauthorization response message to the server computer 130. At step S318,the server computer 130 may forward the authorization response messageto the access device 120. At step S320, the access device 120 maycomplete the transaction initiated by the user device 110 and transmitdata to the user device 110 indicating that the transaction wassuccessful. After this, a clearing and settlement process may takeplace.

At step S322, when the clearing and settlement process begins, theserver computer 130 may generate and send a first clearing requestmessage to the authorizing computer 150. The first clearing requestmessage may include an adjusted transaction amount that may be theoriginal transaction amount less the discount offered by the valuealteration computer 160. For example, if the original transaction amountwas $100 and the value alteration computer 160 offered a $5 discountbased on the one or more activity metrics associated with the user ofthe user device 110 (step S312), the adjusted transaction amount may befor $95. Accordingly, the server computer 130 may request that theauthorizing computer 150 settle $95 in the clearing request message,instead of the full $100 transaction amount. Upon receiving the clearingrequest message, the authorizing computer 150 may settle for theadjusted transaction amount, either immediately or at some later pointin time.

At step S324, the server computer 130 may generate and send a secondclearing request message to the value alteration computer 160. Thesecond clearing request message may include the discount amount offeredby the value alteration computer 160. For example, if the originaltransaction amount was $100 and the value alteration computer 160offered a $5 discount based on the one or more activity metricsassociated with the user of the user device 110, the server computer mayrequest that the value alteration computer 160 settle $5 in the clearingrequest message. Upon receiving the clearing request message, the valuealteration computer 160 may settle for the discount amount, eitherimmediately or at some point later in time.

As illustrated, two different entities may be responsible for settlingdifferent transaction amounts that add up to the original transactionamount. In such a way, a real-time “discount” may be applied to thetransaction, such that the user of the user device 110 may only becharged for the original transaction amount less the discount, ratherthan the full transaction amount where the discount is credited back tothe user account at some point later in time.

While the above example illustrates a $5 discount based on aprerequisite number of calories expended by the user of the user device110, other types of discounts may also be available. For example, atiered discount can be offered for a number of calories expended by theuser, where the user may receive a $5 discount for the first 2,000calories expended, and another $2.50 discount for every additional 1000calories expended. Many different types of discount schemes may beemployed with respect to the embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates another flow according to other embodiments of theinvention. In the process flow illustrated in FIG. 4, settlement canoccur between the processor server computer 120 and the authorizingcomputer 150.

In the process illustrated in FIG. 4, steps S302, S304, S306, S308,S310, S312, S314, S316, S318, and S320 may respectively correspond tosteps S402, S404, S406, S408, S410, S412, S414, S416, S418, and S420,and the descriptions of those steps are incorporated herein and need notbe repeated.

However, at step S422 in FIG. 4, when the clearing and settlementprocess begins, the server computer 130 may generate and send a clearingrequest message to the authorizing computer 150, without a correspondingclearing request to the value alteration computer 160. The clearingrequest message may include the original transaction amount prior toapplying any discount offered by the value alteration computer 160. Forexample, if the original transaction amount was $100 and the valuealteration computer 160 offered a $5 discount based on the one or moreactivity metrics associated with the user of the user device 110, theclearing request message may still include the original transactionamount for $100. Upon receiving the clearing request message, theauthorizing computer 150 may settle for the original transaction amount,either immediately or at some later point in time.

At step S424, the server computer 130 may instruct the authorizingentity associated with the authorizing computer 150 to issue a credit tothe user account associated with the user in the amount of the valuealteration offered by the value alteration computer 160 at some pointafter the authorizing computer 150 has settled the original transactionamount (step S422). At some point later, the server computer 130 mayseparately settle the value alteration amount with the value alterationcomputer 160.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment, where an access device 120 determines avalue alteration, instead of a server computer. The method can includereceiving, by an access device, a device identifier or an accountidentifier from a user device. The method also includes transmitting, bythe access device, the device identifier or the account identifier to anactivity computer in an activity request message, and receiving, by theaccess device, an activity response message comprising an activitymetric. Then, the access device can alter a value of a transactionamount conducted between the user device and the access device, and cangenerate an authorization request message comprising the alteredtransaction amount. The method further includes transmitting theauthorization request message comprising the altered transaction amountto an authorizing computer.

At step S502, a user may initiate a payment transaction using his or heruser device 110. For example, the user may interact with a digitalwallet application or activity application executing on the user device110 in order to initiate the transaction process. The digital walletapplication or activity application may be associated with a useraccount associated with the user. The user may open the digital walletapplication or activity application on the user device 110 and enter hisor her authentication information (e.g., a password) into theapplication. Then, for example, the user may select an option to begin atransaction.

At step S504, after the user initiates the transaction with his or heruser device 110, the user may interact with the access device 120 usinghis or her user device 110. In some embodiments, the access device 120may be located within a merchant location. For example, the accessdevice 120 may be a point-of-sale (POS) device located near the checkoutarea at the merchant location. For example, this step may occur when theuser is ready to checkout and pay for merchandise obtained from themerchant location. For example, the user may interact with the accessdevice 120 by “tapping” his or her user device 110 against the accessdevice 120 to initiate a near-field connection (NFC). In someembodiments, the user device 110 may also connect to the access device120 using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or any other wireless communication link.Upon creating the connection between the user device 110 and the accessdevice 120, the user device 110, via the digital wallet application orother activity application, may transmit the user's account informationto the access device 120. The user device 110 may also send the deviceidentifier to the access device 120.

At step S506, after user device 110 interacts with the access device 120and transmits the user's account information and device identifier tothe access device 120, the access device 120 may optionally determine ifthe user device 110 participates in an activity program. The accessdevice 120 may communicate with an external computer to determine this,or if may determine this by a database stored within it. If it does,then the access device transmits an activity request message to theactivity computer 140 similar to the processes described above withrespect to step S306. The activity request message may include theaccount identifier and/or the device identifier. The activity computer140 can return the activity metric to the access device 120. After theaccess device 120 determines that the user is eligible for a valuealteration, the access device 120 generates and formats an authorizationrequest message with a transaction amount for the altered transactionamount (e.g., 7 dollars if the original transaction amount is 10 dollarsand the alteration amount is 3 dollars).

At step S512, the access device 120 generates and sends theauthorization request to the processor server computer 130. Theprocessor server computer 130 then determines from the accountidentifier which authorizing computer should receive the authorizationrequest.

At step S514, the processor server computer 130 transmits theauthorization request message to the authorizing computer 150. Theauthorizing computer then decides if the transaction is authorized.

At step S516, the processor server computer 130 generates and sends aauthorization response message to the processor server computer 130, andthe processor server computer sends the authorization response messageto the access device 120.

Steps S520 and S522 can be similar to steps S320 and S322 above and thedescriptions are incorporated herein by reference; and they need not berepeated here.

In the embodiment in FIG. 5, the access device 120 does the processingto request the activity metric and apply the value alteration to thetransaction, instead of the processor server computer.

Embodiments of the invention provide for a number of advantages. Forexample, embodiments of the invention can utilize transactionalterations as a way to encourage user activity. This can, among otherthings, improve the health and well-being of the user. In addition, thetransactions can be altered using non-transaction information about theuser, without compromising the confidentiality of the user'snon-transaction information.

Other embodiments the invention may also be contemplated.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method performed bya user device such as a wearable device. The method comprises storing anaccount identifier. After the account identifier is stored, the methodcomprises providing the account identifier to an access device in atransaction conducted between the user and a resource provider. Theaccess device transmits an authorization request message comprising theaccount identifier and a transaction value to a server computer. Theserver computer determines an activity metric associated with thewearable activity device and applies a value alteration to thetransaction value.

Any of the software components or functions described in thisapplication, may be implemented as software code to be executed by aprocessor using any suitable computer language such as, for example,Java, C++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-orientedtechniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions,or commands on a computer readable medium, such as a random accessmemory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as ahard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Anysuch computer readable, medium may reside on or within a singlecomputational apparatus, and may be present on or within differentcomputational apparatuses within a system or network.

The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Theprocess flow may be extended beyond the number of components shown. Manyvariations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in theart upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should,therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description,but instead should be determined with reference to the pending claimsalong with their full scope or equivalents.

One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one ormore features of any other embodiment without departing from the scopeof the invention.

A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more”unless specifically indicated to the contrary.

All patents, patent applications, publications, and descriptionsmentioned above are herein incorporated by reference in their entiretyfor all purposes. None is admitted to be prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, at a servercomputer, a first authorization request message for a transaction in afirst data format, the first authorization request message comprising atransaction value and an account identifier from a point of sale deviceat a resource provider, wherein a user device comprising a sensor fordetecting activity data is used by a user to conduct the transactionwith the resource provider; determining, by the server computer, thatthe user is enrolled in at least one fitness tracking program;identifying, by the server computer, at least one third party computermaintaining the at least one fitness tracking program for the user;formatting, by the server computer, an activity request message in asecond data format different than the first data format, andtransmitting the activity request message to the identified at least onethird party computer, thereby querying, by the server computer, the atleast one third party computer for an activity metric criterionassociated with the user in the form of a binary yes or no result basedon a threshold and the activity data; receiving, by the server computerfrom the at least one third party computer in an activity responsemessage, the activity metric criterion associated with the user;providing, by the server computer to an offer-provider computer, theactivity metric criterion associated with the user; receiving, by theserver computer from the offer-provider computer, a value alteration forthe transaction based at least in part on the activity metric criterion;and applying, by the server computer, the value alteration to the valuefor the transaction by: generating a second authorization requestmessage comprising a discount transaction value, wherein the discounttransaction value corresponds to the transaction value minus the valuealteration; transmitting the second authorization request message to anauthorization entity associated with the account identifier; receivingan authorization response from the authorization entity; providing theauthorization response to the point of sale device; generating andsending a first clearing request message having the discount transactionvalue to the authorization entity, thereby causing the authorizationentity to settle for the discount transaction value; and generating andsending a second clearing request message having the value alteration tothe offer-provider computer, thereby causing the offer-provider computerto settle for an amount of the value alteration.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the first authorization request message further comprises adevice identifier, and the device identifier is used to determine theactivity metric criterion.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the userdevice is a wearable activity device that stores the account identifier.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity metric criterion is basedat least in part on a number of calories expended by the user within aspecified time period.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user deviceis a smart watch.
 6. A system comprising a server computer forfacilitating a transaction, comprising: a processor; and anon-transitory computer readable medium coupled the processor, thecomputer readable medium comprising code, executable by the processor,for implementing a method comprising: receiving a first authorizationrequest message for a transaction in a first data format, the firstauthorization request message comprising a transaction value and anaccount identifier from a point of sale device at a resource provider,wherein a user device comprising a sensor for detecting activity data isused by a user to conduct the transaction with the resource provider;determining that the user is enrolled in at least one fitness trackingprogram; identifying at least one third party computer maintaining theat least one fitness tracking program for the user; formatting anactivity request message in a second data format different than thefirst data format, and transmitting the activity request message to theidentified at least one third party computer, thereby querying the atleast one third party computer for an activity metric criterionassociated with the user; receiving, from the at least one third partycomputer in an activity response message, the activity metric criterionassociated with the user; providing, to an offer-provider computer, theactivity metric criterion associated with the user in the form of abinary yes or no result based on a threshold and the activity data;receiving, from the offer-provider computer, a value alteration for thetransaction based at least in part on the activity metric criterionassociated with the user of the user device; applying the valuealteration to the value for the transaction by: generating a secondauthorization request message comprising a discount transaction value,wherein the discount transaction value corresponds to the transactionvalue minus the value alteration; transmitting the second authorizationrequest message to an authorization entity associated with the accountidentifier; receiving an authorization response from the authorizationentity; providing the authorization response to the point of saledevice; generating and sending a first clearing request message havingthe discount transaction value to the authorization entity, therebycausing the authorization entity to settle for the discount transactionvalue; and generating and sending a second clearing request messagehaving the value alteration to the offer-provider computer, therebycausing the offer-provider computer to settle for an amount of the valuealteration.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the user device is a smartwatch.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the user isenrolled in at least one fitness tracking program includes: identifying,by a device determination module of the server computer, a deviceidentifier of the user device; and based on the device identifier of theuser device, determining, by the device determination module of theserver computer, that a manufacturer of the user device providesactivity tracking information.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereindetermining that the manufacturer of the user device provides activitytracking information comprises querying a database with the deviceidentifier.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the useris enrolled in at least one fitness tracking program includes:identifying an indicator received in the first authorization requestmessage indicating that the user is enrolled in the fitness trackingprogram.
 11. The system of claim 6, wherein determining that the user isenrolled in at least one fitness tracking program includes: identifying,by a device determination module of the server computer, a deviceidentifier of the user device; and based on the device identifier of theuser device, determining, by the device determination module of theserver computer, that a manufacturer of the user device providesactivity tracking information.
 12. The system of claim 11, whereindetermining that the manufacturer of the user device provides activitytracking information comprises querying a database with the deviceidentifier.
 13. The system of claim 6, wherein determining that the useris enrolled in at least one fitness tracking program includes:identifying an indicator received in the first authorization requestmessage indicating that the user is enrolled in the fitness trackingprogram.